Intermodal Competition in Air Transport Systems
Summary
Intermodal competition in air transport systems refers to the complex interplay between aviation and alternative modes of travel—primarily rail, road and maritime services—for both passenger and freight traffic. This dynamic shapes route planning, pricing strategies and infrastructure investment decisions, with particular intensity on medium-range city-pairs where high-speed rail services offer comparable door-to-door journey times. Airlines respond through adjustments in flight schedules, fare structures and connectivity enhancements, while ground-based operators explore timetable optimisation and integrated ticketing to capture market share. Beyond pure economic rivalry, intermodal competition influences network resilience, environmental footprints and regional development by altering accessibility patterns and modal choice. As transport planners and policymakers seek sustainable solutions, understanding the factors driving competition—such as frequency, reliability, journey time and cost—becomes essential for optimising multimodal networks and reducing negative externalities.
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Intermodal Competition in Air Transport Systems publication trend
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Technical terms
Intermodal competition: Rivalry between different transportation modes for passenger or freight traffic, influenced by cost, time, convenience and infrastructure.
High-speed rail (HSR): Passenger rail services operating at speeds typically above 200 km/h, offering a competitive alternative to short-haul flights.
Accessibility: The ease with which passengers or freight can reach destinations, often expressed as potential travel time or cost from a given origin.
Network structure: The organisational arrangement of transport routes and hubs that shapes connectivity and determines modal competition outcomes.
References
- Long distance accessibility by air transportation: a literature review. Transport Reviews (2024).
- Air Transport versus High‐Speed Rail: An Overview and Research Agenda. Journal of Advanced Transportation (2017).
- Competition between high-speed trains and air travel in China: From a spatial to spatiotemporal perspective. Transportation Research Part A Policy and Practice (2020).
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